Francesco Zet headlines V85 premiere; Funny Gio, Iguski Sautonne and more star across Europe

by Thomas Hedlund

A new era begins in Sweden this weekend as the V85 makes its debut, replacing the iconic V75 format that has defined Swedish harness racing since 1993. While change is in the air, the European trotting scene continues to deliver outstanding performances — from Francesco Zet’s much-anticipated start at Jägersro to record-setters and comeback winners across the continent.

V85 LAUNCH: FRANCESCO ZET FACES REAL OPPOSITION

Saturday (Oct. 25) marks the premiere of V85, Sweden’s new national betting format, taking over from the legendary V75. And the kickoff card at Jägersro couldn’t have a more fitting headliner — Francesco Zet (by Father Patrick), the reigning king of Swedish trotting.

Trainer Daniel Redén made it clear early on that he was targeting the V85 opener with his superstar, and the fans responded in kind. The feature, the $120,000 C.L. Müllers Memorial over 2,640 meters, has drawn a deep and daring field.

Despite the presence of Francesco Zet, top rivals A Fair Day, Immortal Doc, and Staro Mack Crowe have stepped forward to challenge the champion — hoping to etch their names in history as winners of the first-ever V85 main event.

Full entries: here.

IGUSKI SAUTONNE BACK TO WINNING WAYS IN GRAND PRIX DU SUD-OUEST

There was $220,000 USD on the line in Wednesday’s (Oct. 21) Grand Prix du Sud-Ouest at Beaumont-de-Lomagne, and it produced one of the more thrilling stretch drives of the French autumn.

After Gaspar d’Angis and Éric Raffin sped to the front early, they faced relentless pressure from Justin Bold (Bold Eagle), who raced uncovered for much of the 1.43-mile event. Entering the stretch, Justin Bold forged to the lead, only to be collared late by Iguski Sautonne (Village Mystic—Sara Sautonne), who sprinted through a late opening to score in a mile rate of 1:54.4 — a new race record.

Justin Bold finished a game second in the same time, while Ino du Lupin (Scipion du Goutier) was third after a tough three-wide trip.

It was the first win for Iguski Sautonne since his Prix de l’Atlantique shocker in the spring. He’s also finished second in both the Prix des Ducs de Normandie and Prix Chambon P, plus a third in the Prix René Ballière, where he set his personal best mile rate of 1:51. Wednesday’s victory was worth $97,000 USD, bringing his lifetime bankroll to nearly $750,000 USD.

KILMISTER RETIRED TO STUD AT TARA HILLS

Former Swedish standout Kilmister (Chapter Seven—Treviso) has been retired to stud and will stand his first season at Tara Hills Stud in Ontario for a $5,000 service fee.

The now-5-year-old stallion earned just under $800,000 USD, took a mark of 1:50.3 and won nine of 32 lifetime starts. He began his career with Marcus Melander in the U.S., highlighted by a victory in the $337,000 Peter Haughton Memorial, before transferring to Sweden under Sabine Kagebrant.

Owned by Anders Ström’s Stall Courant, Kilmister was a $170,000 Lexington Selected yearling purchase. His dam Treviso (Muscle Massive—Valeria Hanover) earned over $360,000 USD and has also produced two six-figure earners in Denarius and Santa Croce.

TRAINER MICHAEL LÖNBORG HAS LICENSE REVOKED

In Denmark, the Danish Trotting Federation (Dansk Hestevæddeløb) has revoked the license of top trainer Michael Lönborg with immediate effect.

The decision follows a Danish court ruling on Monday (Oct. 20), where Lönborg was convicted of indecent behavior under §232 of the Danish penal code. He received a 14-day suspended sentence and was ordered to pay 10,000 DKK ($1,400 USD) in damages to a 17-year-old girl he assaulted in March 2024.

Under federation rules, anyone convicted of a moral offense loses both training and driving privileges until a clean criminal record can be provided. Lönborg is now barred from entering any racetrack or training facility under the federation’s authority.

INEXESS BLEU TARGETS MILAN’S GRAN PREMIO DELLE NAZIONI

Fresh off his victory in the $560,000 UET Elite Circuit final at Solvalla, French powerhouse Inexess Bleu (Vittel de Brévol) continues his international campaign. Trainer Laurent-Claude Abrivard confirmed that Inexess Bleu will start next in the $240,000 Gran Premio delle Nazioni at San Siro in Milan on Nov. 1 — the opening leg of the 2025–26 UET Elite Circuit.

Stablemate Inmarosa (Amiral Sacha) will join him in the lineup, along with Always Ek, Dimitri Ferm, Deus Zack, Dubhe Prav, Ernesto Spritz, Executiv Ek, Expo Wise As, and Jabalpur.

FUNNY GIO EXTENDS DOMINANCE IN TREVISO

Italy’s top 4-year-old mare Funny Gio (Face Time Bourbon—Amazing Gio) continued her sensational season with another Group 1 triumph, capturing Sunday’s $133,000 Gran Premio Giuseppe Biasuzzi Memorial in Treviso.

Driver Antonio di Nardo sent the Alessandro Gocciadoro-trained mare straight to the front, and she faced sustained pressure from Free Time Jepson (Face Time Bourbon). Despite the challenge, Funny Gio dug in gamely and drew off late to score in 1:53.2 — a new stakes record.

Follia d’Esi (Ringostarr Treb) finished a strong second, while Free Time Jepson held for third.

It was Funny Gio’s third Group 1 victory of the year, adding to her world record win in the Gran Premio Continentale and earlier triumphs in the Anact Stakes Plus, Gran Premio Unione Europea, and Gran Premio Campionato Femminile.

CITY SLICKER WINS THE SVAMPEN AT ÖREBRO

Sweden’s top 2-year-old event, the $95,000 The Svampen, produced a mild upset Sunday (Oct. 19) at Örebro as City Slicker (King City—Hipster) capitalized on a break by favorite Revanche Boko.

Driver Björn Goop sent City Slicker to the front early and controlled moderate fractions (:31 half), making it impossible for closers to threaten. Tanja Tooma (Explosive Matter) raced bravely parked throughout to take second, while Arizona Trot (Power) closed strongly for third.

City Slicker, trained by Joakim Elfving, remained unchallenged in the lane to win in 2:00.2, securing his biggest payday yet.